Too many custom solutions
The old system had grown over the years — with countless customizations, special rules, and workarounds. What once helped eventually became a slowdown.
Friedrich Niemann
From complex server management to a streamlined all-in-one cloud solution
Friedrich Niemann GmbH & Co. KG has a broad presence across northern Germany: sales, rental and service for construction machinery, tools, woodworking equipment and operational facilities. For more than 100 years, the family-owned company has stood for reliable support for professional construction projects and state-of-the-art logistics equipment.
With more than 350 employees across several locations, from Kiel and Rostock to Hamburg and Berlin, the company maintains strong relationships with its customers. Its ambition is clear: Friedrich Niemann aims to provide everything from a single source. Or, as Jonas Niemann, one of the company’s four CEOs, puts it: “We deliver everything, from nails to cranes.”
But as the company grew, so did the complexity behind the scenes. At some point, it became clear that the existing ERP system could no longer keep pace.
With more than 350 employees across several locations, from Kiel and Rostock to Hamburg and Berlin, the company maintains strong relationships with its customers. Its ambition is clear: Friedrich Niemann aims to provide everything from a single source. Or, as Jonas Niemann, one of the company’s four CEOs, puts it: “We deliver everything, from nails to cranes.”
But as the company grew, so did the complexity behind the scenes. At some point, it became clear that the existing ERP system could no longer keep pace.
DMS 365
Rental 365
Mobile Service 365
“Since we started using TRASER DMS 365, we have not had a single outage. Before that, we lost between three and five hours every week due to system downtime.”
Jonas Niemann
CEO, FN Friedrich Niemann
The Starting Point
If it does not fit, make it fit. Or customize it until it breaks.
Over many years, Friedrich Niemann had built an ERP system that was extremely close to its own processes. Based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV and extended with countless customizations, special logics and additional solutions.
“In the end, we had countless customizations in the system. It was completely tailored to us. But it was also completely overengineered.”
What had long been an advantage increasingly turned into the opposite.
This became very noticeable in daily operations: stock figures were no longer reliable, items were ordered twice or could not be found in the system. In service management, missing parts caused delays. Instead of relying solely on the ERP solution, many employees increasingly had to resort to Excel spreadsheets or even paper-based processes, as the system no longer provided the level of transparency required.
This became very noticeable in daily operations: stock figures were no longer reliable, items were ordered twice or could not be found in the system. In service management, missing parts caused delays. Instead of relying solely on the ERP solution, many employees increasingly had to resort to Excel spreadsheets or even paper-based processes, as the system no longer provided the level of transparency required.
“There was simply no longer any trust in the figures provided by the system. And without reliable figures, transparent business management becomes impossible.”
On top of this came technical issues: rising costs for servers and maintenance, declining performance and regular outages. Updates became increasingly difficult, and so did further development.
“At some point, it became clear that we could not continue this way. The situation was slowing us down, both in our day-to-day operations and in our long-term development.”
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Challenges
What were the main issues?
No trust in the figures
In the old system, inventory figures were unreliable, reports were inaccurate, and decision-making became more difficult. Without reliable data, there is no basis for effective management.
Lack of transparency in everyday life
Items were ordered twice, could not be located, or were missing from the service area. This cost time and caused frustration, and slowed down operational processes.
Excel and paper as a short-term solution
Because the old system lacked clarity, parallel lists and manual workarounds emerged. Information was scattered throughout the system rather than centralized.
Technology Pushed to the Limit
Servers, maintenance, performance, and outages were becoming an increasing burden. Instead of making day-to-day operations easier, the old system infrastructure was draining resources.
Updates as a Risk
Every further development became more complicated. The old system was so outdated that it was difficult to ensure its future viability.
The Decision and Implementation
Standardization instead of custom solutions
Before carrying out another update, Friedrich Niemann deliberately chose a fresh start on what Jonas Niemann aptly describes as a “greenfield approach.” The goal was a modern cloud-based ERP solution that runs reliably, standardizes processes and supports the company in the long term.
With the implementation of TRASER DMS 365 based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the company aimed to achieve several objectives at once:
“We deliberately wanted to return to the standard. Away from custom solutions and towards something that simply works.”
At the same time, it was about more than technology. The company wanted to strategically reposition itself and create a strong foundation for the coming decades.
“Our ambition is to be a digital pioneer in our industry. To achieve that, you need a system that grows with you, not one that slows you down.”
The Decision and Implementation
Why TRASER Software?
The deciding factor above all was the combination of a strong solution and a close, collaborative partnership.
On the one hand, there was the industry expertise: processes related to machine sales, rental and service did not need to be explained from scratch. On the other hand, there was the approach of working with an existing, proven solution instead of starting from zero again.
On the one hand, there was the industry expertise: processes related to machine sales, rental and service did not need to be explained from scratch. On the other hand, there was the approach of working with an existing, proven solution instead of starting from zero again.
“We no longer wanted a partner who would say, ‘We will program everything from scratch for you.’ We had already gone through that experience. What we wanted was a solution that simply works.”
At the same time, proximity also played a role, both professionally and geographically.
Looking for more than just a software developer for custom workarounds — a partner who understands your industry?
“From the very beginning, the collaboration was based on partnership and mutual trust. Our contacts at TRASER could also stop by spontaneously when the situation required it. We could address topics directly, discuss them openly and find solutions together.”
Jonas Niemann
CEO, FN Friedrich Niemann
The Decision and Implementation
A Real Transformation Process
The implementation represented a far-reaching transformation process within the company. Together with TRASER Software, existing workflows were not simply transferred but questioned, rethought and, where necessary, simplified.
Analysis
Workshops
Test migration
Training sessions
At the same time, intensive efforts were made internally to involve employees throughout the process. There were training sessions, test environments and dedicated time to familiarize teams with the new system.
Of course, not everything went smoothly. There were uncertainties, questions and moments of frustration. Especially in a company of this size, it is a challenge to bring everyone along at the same time.
“A project like this has its highs and lows. What matters is that you keep moving forward and that everyone works towards the same goal. With TRASER Software by our side, we achieved that exceptionally well.”
The go-live phase was closely supported through direct coordination and with a team on site. Then came the moment everything had been leading up to.
“On the day of the go-live, we were able to issue invoices right away. The system was up and running from the start. That was an incredibly powerful feeling.”
Jonas Niemann
CEO, FN Friedrich Niemann
Results and Conclusion
More structure, more stability
Above all, the implementation of TRASER DMS 365 has changed the way the company works.
Previously, locations and departments within the company operated in different ways. Today, standardized processes ensure consistent and efficient workflows across the organization.
The new authorization and role system creates structure and security in daily operations.
Clear responsibilities
Fewer sources of error
Faster onboarding of new employees
The technical situation has also improved significantly:
No more regular system outages
Significantly improved performance
Elimination of the company’s own vulnerable server infrastructure
The result is fewer interruptions and more focus on day-to-day business.
A key factor behind the success of the project was the close collaboration throughout the entire implementation. From the initial analysis and process definition through to the go-live, both teams worked together, tested and continuously optimized processes.
Stock figures are now accurate. Data is reliable. Processes are clearly defined. This is especially noticeable in operational areas: customers receive their goods faster, service processes run more smoothly and coordination has become significantly easier.
Would you like to turn grown structures into reliable processes?
“Today, we trust our data. We now have a system that no longer slows us down but moves us forward. That changes everything.”
Jonas Niemann
CEO, FN Friedrich Niemann
Endless possibilities!
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